I lost a friend yesterday

Yesterday, the world lost a great man, and Bilyk’s Pride lost a friend. Bishop Kevin M. Britt, former Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit and Bishop of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away suddenly. This is a picture of him from one of his last major public events, a meeting in Rome:

Picture courtesy of the Michigan Catholic and www.aodonline.org

He came to our council to do a Family Corporate Communion Mass and liked us so much that he asked to come back the following year to say Mass for us again. When Jennifer was pregnant with Kiara, he blessed both of them for a safe delivery, then he blessed Kiara again the following year. I presented him with a very limited edition Holy Cross Council polo/bowling shirt at the second Mass he said for us. He actually delayed moving to Grand Rapids just so he could say Mass for us. I always enjoyed talking to him and he had a great sense of humor. His homilies were incredible. I really looked forward to talking to him at the State K of C Convention next week. I will miss him greatly!

According to the Archdiocese of Detroit website, Bishop Britt will be waked at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, 267 Sheldon Avenue S.E., Grand Rapids. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, May 19, from 7 until 9 p.m.; and Thursday, May 20, from 12 noon until 9 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. led by Bishop Robert Rose. Cardinal Adam Maida, Archbishop of Detroit, will celebrate the funeral Mass for Bishop Britt at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 21, at the Cathedral of St. Andrew (267 Sheldon Avenue S.E., Grand Rapids).

As Cardinal Maida said about Bishop Britt, “He was the embodiment of his episcopal motto: ‘kindness, mercy, love’, A good shepherd has been called home to God.” Via con Dios, Bishop Britt!